NBA news: Steve Kerr responds to Trump’s Harvard funding freeze

The Trump administration announced Monday it would be freezing $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and contracts for Harvard University after university President Alan M. Garber announced the same day the school would not be complying with the Trump administration’s demands to combat antisemitism. 

In response, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wore a Harvard basketball shirt for a news conference Tuesday night.

“Is something going on?” he jokingly asked, drawing laughter from the media.

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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr watches during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco.  (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“[Harvard coach] Tommy Amaker is a friend of mine. He sent me this shirt, and it felt like a great day to wear it,” Kerr added. “I believe in academic freedom. I believe it’s crucial for all of our institutions to be able to handle their own business the way they want to, and they should not be shaken down and told what to teach, what to say, by our government. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, but it’s kind of par for the course right now. This is me supporting Harvard. 

“Way to go, way to stand up to the bully.”

Kerr, whose father Malcolm was a professor in the Middle East and was assassinated in 1984, has long opposed Trump. Kerr endorsed Kamala Harris for the 2024 election.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr delivers a speech at the DNC Convention.  (Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Kerr spoke to reporters after his Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament to earn the seventh seed in the Western Conference.

Garber said the federal government has threatened partnerships with several universities, including Harvard, over accusations of antisemitism on campuses. He also noted that the Trump administration issued an updated and expanded list of demands, saying if the school plans to maintain a financial relationship with the federal government, it must comply.

“It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner,” Garber wrote. “We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement.”

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gestures during the first half against the Miami Heat Jan. 7, 2025, in San Francisco.  (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

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Earlier this month, a federal antisemitism task force announced a review of Harvard’s federal grants and contracts, worth nearly $9 billion, as the university faces an investigation into campus antisemitism. 

Fox News’ Greg Wehner, CB Cotton, Alexis McAdams and Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.

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